The second of the Northern Cyprus’s Bafra Tourism Area five-Star hotels is set to open next month-two years later than scheduled.

The Noah’s Ark resort, built to resemble the biblical ark, was initially due for completion, along with the whole Bafra project of 13 themed hotels in 2009.

It is set to officially open on Thursday, May 19-the bank holiday marking National Youth and Sport day-although could be open to guests a few days before.

It sits in 165,000m2 on the Bafra  coastline and has been landscaped to include a holiday village, aquapark and swimming pools.

There will also be four tennis courts, a football pitch and watersports. An open-air cinema completes the luxury development, which offers two restaurants, a spa and wellness centre, disco and basement casino.

The 1,250 bed complex was originally set to cost  $25million, but the latest estimate is about $96,5 million. Photographs, rustic faux ships timbers and biblical quotes are features of the rooms.

Marketing manager Pelin Uslu said: “Booking are looking good and we plan to open between May 15 and 19.”

She  added May 19 could see a special celebration but would not confirm any concerts or events saying: “ There will be a protocol ceremony on that day.”

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A March  poll of members of the Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers’ union has revealed the majority  are still optimistic about future prospects  for tourism.

This comes on the back of worsening fortunes  for the traditional hotel sector in northern Cyprus while the new casino hotels have proved more able to attract guests.

The research, conducted by the union, said that only one in 10 of  its members felt the general outlook was good at the moment, with 78 per cent saying it was bad and 12 per cent as `vary bad`.

However , 60 per cent said they expected the situation to improve in the next couple of years.

The biggest problem, on the back of the failure of Cyprus Turkish Airlines last years; remains transport. Nearly nine out of 10 hoteliers voiced concerns on this issue, with the lack of direct flights and cheap flights, on a par with south Cyprus, an ongoing problem.

Nearly a third said a lack of promotion of northern Cyprus was worry, while a quarter said costs were a major hurdle.

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Northern Cyprus has a choice of places to stay that is every bit  as wide as its portfolio of visitor attractions and holiday activities, with accommodation to suit all budgets. Its climate attracts holidaymakers throughout the year, and most of its hotels and guesthouses are also open year round. Accommodation ranges  from simple, family-run guesthouses and small apartment complexes to large resort hotels with an array of facilities for families,luxury villas with private pools , and stylishly restored village houses. Hotels in the  two stars to  five star catagories are generally more luxurious than similar hotels in other Mediterranean countries and northern c yprus has a well-deserved reputation for affordable comfort.Northern Cyprus Hotels Guide.

Most hotel  in the popular resorts  are block-booked by holiday companies making it difficult  for independent  travellers to find good accommodation  on arrival. Booking a holiday package (which includes flights and  hotel) is the best and usually sheapest option . in low season , bargains may be found on the internet.

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The Cavo Maris is a fine 3-star hotel that offers value having all the facilities of a four-star property. Set in a beautiful unspoiled sea front location, amongst extensive grass lawns and gardens, which lead down to a fine sandy beach.

Its warm atmosphere, numerous facilities, excellent foot and friendly service with make your stay a pleasure. Shops, bars, restaurants etc. Can be found within 200m of the hotel. A local bus service is available to the famous Fig Tree Bay 1.5km away or into the nearby bustling resort of Ayia Napa.

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Lapida Hotel

The Lapida is a small, family run hotel with a comfortable, home from home feel. It is a brand new hotel in the heart of the countryside surrounded by citrus and olive groves, close to village of Lapta , offering basic but tranquil accommodation. Country walks are popular activity with guests, as is simply relaxing by the swimming pool, surrounded by colourful garden.

What makes the Lapida unique though in the people that run it. Their friendliness becomes apparent from the moment you walk up to the homely reception –and is an experience replicated throughout the holiday. Daily menus featuring traditional, home-cooked food prepared with fresh, local ingredients (most of which are produced in the gardens of the hotel organically) are a real highlight. Fethi, our long serving lead guide in North Cyprus, built the small hotel to fulfil has dream of running his own place with the passion and love that he has always had for his country and tourism. Some guided walks , trekking on the Five Finger Mountains as well as olive oil tasting is organised by the hotel during winter months at a small cost . We highly recommended these excursions.

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